Thursday, February 09, 2017
Passage: 1 Peter 3:13-17
Series: 1 Peter (2015)
Duration: 1 hr 6 mins 33 secs
Do you have trouble believing in the goodness of God when you see all the bad things that are happening in this world? Listen to this lesson to hear how we can know about and have confidence in the goodness of God. Beginning with God’s creation, see how its beauty illustrates His goodness to mankind. Find out that His character or essence is an all-encompassing goodness that we can rely on. As Christians living in a hostile culture, see the importance of being able to explain God’s goodness and His plan of salvation to those around us.
During this class Dr. Dean briefly discussed apologetics. Additional material on apologetics is available in the following resources:
Giving an Answer
Theology and Apologetics
Tuesday, December 15, 2015
Passage: 1 Thessalonians 2:1-2
Series: 1 Thessalonians (2013)
Duration: 1 hr 1 mins 20 secs
Do you find it hard to tell others what you believe about God? Listen to this lesson to see the importance of boldness and courage when witnessing. See that you will face opposition and persecution. Find out the difference between battle courage and moral courage and the ingredients that make up spiritual courage. Hear about the necessity of listening to the person you are talking to and not arguing with them. Accept that if they do not believe what you are saying you may still be planting a seed that will grow. Continue to seek opportunities to share your faith as you rely on the Holy Spirit and treat those who may be hostile with kindness and caring.
Sunday, February 03, 2013
Passage: Proverbs 3:1-6
Series: Proverbs (2013)
Duration: 55 mins 20 secs
The only knowledge that translates into wisdom is knowledge of the Truth. Enmeshment with Truth is an inseparable relationship. Enmeshment in today’s language implies a dysfunctional relationship where one allows another to define him. In the spiritual realm it is a positive term where we aspire to be defined by, and inseparable from, the Truth of God. Truth acts as our protection from absorbing cosmic thinking. Understand the expanded meanings of mercy and Truth and the imagery behind writing them and binding them. Know that trust is based on specific principles of scripture. Applied trust is certainty that fear has lost its power to intimidate and motivate in light of the Truth that is written on our hearts.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
Passage: Romans 5:6-11
Series: Romans (2010)
Duration: 1 hr 2 mins 39 secs
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Passage: Romans 5:3-5
Series: Romans (2010)
Duration: 59 mins 38 secs
Hope is the end product of a series of choices and the upward momentum of spiritual growth. Making these choices isn’t always easy. But growth is the result of choices. Maturity and consequent happiness is a choice. We must make grown-up decisions in a world of less than positive circumstances. The spiritual life isn't effortless. Growth and maturity are often the result of facing difficult decisions. This runs contrary to the self-absorbed focus of our narcissistic culture which has rejected adult values for the immediate gratification of adolescent fantasies built on utopian dreams. In contrast, biblical hope or confidence in our certain future provides strength for facing present trials. A tough mental attitude in facing trials isn’t developed through the exercise of “no pain, no gain” mantras, but is based on understanding reality as God defines it. We face life in light of God's promises with a focus on the One who made the promise. Giving up on God’s promise of hope and endurance in order to cave into pressure may result in repeated worldly perversion that declines to a point of no return, the loss of eternal, spiritual rewards and the loss of all the blessings God has made available now and in eternity. For the believer, Grace is never diminished and salvation never lost, but a measure of rewards in time and in eternity may be surrendered permanently. So how do we develop the mental attitude strength to face today's challenges in light of eternity's promise?